Copyright © 2004 by the European Society of Cardiology.
Clinical research
CRAVT: a prospective, randomized study comparing transvenous cryothermal and radiofrequency ablation in atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia
Department of Clinical Electrophysiology, Thorax Centre, Erasmus MC, Room D307, dr Molewaterplein 40, 300 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Received 13 April 2004; revised 14 June 2004; accepted 1 July 2004 * Corresponding author. Tel: +31 104632699; fax: +31 104632701 (E-mail: l.jordaens{at}erasmusmc.nl).
BackgroundTransvenous catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with radiofrequency (RF) is effective and safe, but carries a 1–3% incidence of early and potentially late heart block. Cryothermy can create transient effects, and identify potentially successful ablation sites and decrease the risk for permanent heart block.
Methods In this prospective, randomized trial 102 patients with recurrent narrow QRS-complex tachycardia suggestive of AVNRT were randomized to either RF or cryoablation before a diagnostic study.
Results In 63 patients with AVNRT, 33 were randomized to RF and 30 to cryoablation. Procedural success was achieved, respectively, in 30 (91%) patients in the RF and 28 (93%) in the cryoablation group. The median number of cryothermal applications was significantly lower than the number of RF applications (2 versus 7, p<0.005). No accelerated junctional rhythm was seen with cryothermy, while it was present in 31/33 RF patients. Both fluoroscopy and procedural times were comparable. The radiological position of the successful site in relation to anatomical landmarks was slightly different (p<0.05). No cryothermy related complications were observed, and no permanent AV conduction disturbances occurred. During a mean follow up of 13±7 months long-term clinical success was seen in one additional patient in each group. In the same period, 3 patients in both groups experienced recurrent AVNRT.
Conclusion Cryoablation is as effective and safe as RF for AVNRT. Significantly fewer applications are necessary, with comparable procedure times. This makes cryothermy useful for the treatment of tachyarrhythmias near the compact AV node.
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